Liberty's Refuge

The Ballroom

grampslcf September 1, 2026 No Comments

Legal issues that reach the Supreme Court are often interesting to see how the court resolves various competing interests. One of the basic things that all law students learn early in their training is that standing is required in order to file a lawsuit. That is, there must be a person who is being harmed by actions or proposed actions.

Applying this to the federal government’s actions, there is no such thing as taxpayer standing. One cannot sue just because you do not like how the government is spending your tax dollars. There are other remedies in our constitutional system for that. They are called elections.

This brings us to the ballroom construction case that was before the Supreme Court. The Court ruled 5-4 to allow the $400 million construction of President Trump’s White House ballroom to continue, citing lack of legal standing for the preservationist challengers.

Insanity

grampslcf August 31, 2026 No Comments

It does not matter what this administration does. Somehow the Communists Democrats will spin events that are good for Americans as something evil. Everything that is good will become corrupt. And evil will be portrayed as good.

President Donald Trump announced an unprecedented U.S. push to take control of a fifth of Venezuela’s vast oil reserves, betting that American companies can revive the OPEC nation’s battered energy industry while delivering a new source of crude to help bring down U.S. gas prices.

“At my direction, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, working closely with Highly Respected Interim President of Venezuela, Delcy Rodriguez, and, through a partnership with private business, have secured majority U.S. control of more than 65 BILLION BARRELS of proven Oil Reserves in Venezuela, at no cost to the American Taxpayer,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

USMCA…Part 2

grampslcf August 29, 2026 No Comments

As noted yesterday, the trade negotiations between Canada and America have collapsed. This occurred after a deal had been announced. That deal granted Canada the best trade deal of any country. Prime Minister Mark Carney scuttled the deal.

USMCA…Part 1

grampslcf August 28, 2026 No Comments

Promethean Action and Susan Kokinda give a pretty good summary of the relationship between Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and his statement about being at war with America. Canada pulling out of the trade talks with the US is really a political strategy aimed at the midterm elections. Yes, Canada is attempting to interfere in our elections.

The American Dream

grampslcf August 26, 2026 No Comments

A great lady has passed away.

Born and raised in a dirt floor cabin with no power or running water, Dolly Parton built an empire that proved America still rewards grit over excuses. Twelve kids packed into that little wooden house in the Tennessee mountains. No electricity. No indoor plumbing. Just hard work, faith, family, and a girl who refused to accept that poverty was a life sentence.

Vote

grampslcf August 25, 2026 No Comments

Everyone should be able to make their own decisions through their own research and feel comfortable that they weren’t influenced by others.

However, it’s become evident that in this senatorial race for the Republicans for the South Carolina Senate seat that was left vacant by Lindsey Graham’s sudden death, influence and coercion are happening on a scale greater than anything that I would have imagined.

The Weather Vane

grampslcf August 24, 2026 No Comments

Darline Graham-Boggs-Nordon-Graham went to Myrtle Beach on Friday for a rally before the special primary finishes on Tuesday. At the rally she came out and said that she opposes the woke agenda, opposes DEI. Apparently, just like her brother, Daline changes positions on matters of public interest based on which way the wind is blowing.

Odds & Ends

grampslcf August 22, 2026 No Comments

MA Rothman notes: An incumbent who can’t crack 45% in his own reelection bid is in trouble, and new numbers out of Minnesota show Attorney General Keith Ellison is in exactly that position.

A KSTP/SurveyUSA poll released this week has Ellison in a 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐝-𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝟒𝟑-𝟒𝟑 𝐭𝐢𝐞 with Republican challenger Ron Schutz, with 15% of voters still undecided. Two weeks ago, Ellison led the same matchup by eight points.

Norman vs The Deep State

grampslcf August 21, 2026 No Comments

Sometimes it’s hard for the average voter to tell just how effective an elected official is in advancing the interests of his constituency. Darline Graham-Nordone tried to minimize Norman at the recent debate. However, when some of Washington’s most aggressive subsidy seekers make him a top political target, you know he must be doing something right.

Norman vs Graham-Nordone

grampslcf August 20, 2026 No Comments

On Tuesday night there was debate between Ralph Norman and Dorline Graham Nordone. These are the two people who are running in the special primary in South Carolina on August 25^th to replace Lindsey Graham. Ralph Norman is the House rep from District 5. Dorline Graham Nordone is Lindsey Graham’s sister who was appointed by Governor McMaster to fill out the remainder of Lindsey’s term.